What are other ways employers can help their employees make better decisions when seeking care?
First, employers should help employees understand what is and what is not covered by their health plan. Helping employees understand their benefits can guide them in making better decisions on where to seek care in non-emergency situations.
Employers should also encourage all health plan users to develop a relationship with a family physician as the first step of treatment when possible.
Seeing a family physician instead of an emergency-room physician, when appropriate, not only saves money but also results in better care. Emergency room doctors treat immediate symptoms, while family physicians coordinate a patient’s overall care. Because family physicians look at the big picture, they are in a better position to encourage preventive measures — ultimately saving money for everyone.
Preventive care is also critical to promoting good health while containing cost, and helping employees understand the benefits of accessing preventive care routinely is important to an employer’s bottom line.
Regular visits to a family physician — even for those who have no apparent health problems — is also important to preventive care.
Employees should also be encouraged to find out what other health care facilities are available in their community. Urgent care clinics and other minor emergency centers can care for non-urgent conditions faster and cheaper than a hospital emergency room.
These messages can be delivered to employees though on-site workshops and other wellness programs.
ANNETTE RUBY is the vice president of health services management for SummaCare, Inc., a provider-owned health plan located in Akron, Ohio. SummaCare offers a full line of health plans and ancillary products. Through its extensive network of more than 7,000 providers and more than 50 hospitals, SummaCare offers coverage to more than 107,000 members throughout northern Ohio. Reach her at [email protected].
